Chris Bond OAM
Wheelchair Rugby
Chris has built an extraordinary career in Wheelchair Rugby, representing Australia at four Paralympic Games and winning gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, bronze at Paris 2024, and World Championship gold in 2014 and 2022. As captain of the Australian Steelers, Chris continues to lead the team on the world stage, most recently at the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship in Brazil.
Upon learning about the SDA B.O.O.T.S initiative this year I knew I had to go see it myself in person. I have been travelling the world for my sport now for 15 years and have stayed at varied accommodation with regards to accessibility. I was impressed with how much effort, thinking and collaboration had gone into each element of the units to ensure that residents could live their lives as independently as possible. The place looked like a regular new luxury apartment building until you started scanning the flat outdoor surfaces to access the whole compound in a chair, the barriers removed for everyday living with touch entry and height adjustable kitchen space, spacious layouts and a real community vibe with shared spaces to socialise. A perfect new start for someone seeking to take control of their life living with a disability. PNP Group have a core interest in giving people quality of life through universal design and I share their vision.